vak shuddhi -5-

hów then...

how beautiful...

with what intention...
what understanding...
what feeling...

do we sing - e.g. - 

this Guru Ashtakam

on Guru Purnima ?

om sri gurubhyo namaha...

1
one’s physique may be superb, one’s consort likewise,
one’s reputation resplendent, one’s riches as high as Mount Meru
yet if one’s mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru
what then, what then, what then?

2
wife, wealth, sons, grandsons and all such
home and kindred, all these things maybe there
yet if one’s mind be not centred upon the lotus feet of the Guru
what then, what then, what then?

3
the Vedas with their six limbs and the knowledge of all sciences
may be on one’s lips, one may possess the poetic gift
and may compose fine prose and poetry
yet if one’s mind be not centred...

4
I am honoured in other lands
and I am prosperous in my homeland,
in the paths of righteous conduct, there is none who surpasses me...
thus one may think - yet, if one’s mind be not centred...

5
one may be constantly extolled [geprezen]
and one’s presence highly honoured by hosts
of emperors and rulers of this world
yet if one’s mind be not centred...

6
my repute has travelled in all directions
through my philanthropy and prowess
all things of this world are in my hands
as rewards for my virtues... yet...

7
the mind may have turned away from external delights
and from possessions like horses and the like,
the enchanting face of the beloved,
in short, the entire wealth of the earth - yet...

8
the mind may have lost its charm to live in forests, and likewise in the house
may have lost all desire to achieve whatever
even the concern for the body’s welfare may have been outlived
the most invaluable treasure of the world may not hold any allurement
yet...

-

whoever reads, studies and recites this collection of eight verses on Guru
and remains devoted and attentive to the sayings of the Guru
he, no matter if he is a holy person, ascetic, king, neophyte, or householder
attains his coveted object, namely the supreme abode of Brahman
the unassailable seat of immortality

om sri gurubhyo namaha


~adi shankara~
(around 800AD)